Explore the best rated trails in Wakefield, MA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Mystic River Greenway and Somerville Community Path . With more than 106 trails covering 581 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I parked on 4th street and headed up stream. Met one dog walker along this stretch. The calm river views were peaceful and the trail mostly wide gravel. Crossing over Whittier St the trail becomes narrower with a challenging set of turns to go under RTE 16. The river becomes more lively and there is a nice view of rapids. The trail widens with more gravel when you reach the parking lot on Watson Road. I met several more dog walkers along this stretch
Other reviews are fair. Lots of starts and stops for a shorter trail, but also some nice lengths and well maintained. Being from the area, I knew what to expect. I had more fun dodging and beeping my horn at bunnies on my night ride, than I did going around children on my day ride. Nice either way.
The trail is poorly maintained. Do not recommend.
Gorgeous walk. We made the mistake of bringing our bikes and missed the no bike sign. Woops. Lessons learned. Great walking path with kids and pups.
I'm used to riding on gravel and I have ridden sections of this trail many times so I know what to expect. This last winter and spring have been pretty hard on the trail. Obviously some knuckleheads on bikes and horses have been on the trail when its been wet and soft and in spots its chewed up. There is also a need for some more driveway pack in sections as the larger stones that underlay the wear surface are poking through. The culvert under Hooksett Road is washed out and very rough, some drainage work needs to be done at this location. Not sure who is actually responsible for maintenance.
Came here for my first skating trail as a beginner it was great! Lots of sticks around so beware of your step but other than that will be coming here a lot more! Loved it
Starting at the Town Hall, the first half mile is on busy Route 113. There is a marked bike lane on both sides, but the sidewalk was not good for my recumbent trike and the road twists and turns, so visibility isn't great. I'll skip this part next time. At the half mile, Route 113 turns away and the trail goes along the river on a little traveled one way street. At a little over a mile, it's back on a two way street that has good visibility so it feels reasonably safe. As noted above, at 441 Main Street, the trail turns left onto a railroad roadbed, which is now a power line right of way, and continues southeast for almost two miles, with two road crossings. This is wide asphalt in excellent condition.
Although there are empty woods on the west side for much of the two miles, this is not a wilderness trail. I think there was at least one building in sight for the entire time.
In addition to parking at both ends mentioned above, there is parking at a National Grid facility at 452 Main Street, right at the head of the railroad trail.
The trail is now wide asphalt in excellent condition, with clean, well groomed sides. Most of it is very close to the river, so, while foliage may obscure panoramic cross river views, it's still pleasant for a downtown trail.
Park at Circuit Street for very easy access to historic sites. There are many interesting things to see at this end including the 1829 West Hanover Cemetery and beautiful water features at this end. Recommended.
First, be aware that the description is not accurate. The north end of this trail, from the dead end near I-95 to 2300 feet south of Pye Brook Road (PBR) is in Boxford, not Topsfield.
The portion north of PBR is a single rut, usable, but not great. From PBR south to the Boxford-Topsfield border it's a little over a yard wide, packed fine stone, not quite as firm as asphalt, but perfectly satisfactory for my trike. At the border, the trail becomes a single rough rocky track, barely usable and very uncomfortable on my trike. I can't comment further south, because I turned around.
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